Keep Yourself Alive

How many bands can you think of whose first album was by far their best? In how many of those cases was the first song on the album better than anything else on it? In how many cases was the first song on the first album better than anything the band ever did in the course of their long and very successful career?

You can call it "blasphemy", and you may be right, but in my slightly demented opinion, "Bohemian Rhapsody" ain't got nothin' on this one. And neither does "We Will Rock You" or "Somebody To Love" or any of their other so-called "greatest" songs.



And yes, the irony is crushing, and yes, RIP Freddie. But before you go: Here's a not-bad live clip from the Rainbow Theatre, 1974:

I was told a million times
Of all the troubles in my way
Mind you grow a little wiser
Little better every day
But if I crossed a million rivers
And I rode a million miles
Then I'd still be where I started
Bread and butter for a smile

Well I sold a million mirrors
In a shop in Alley Way
But I never saw my face
In any window any day
Now they say your folks are telling you
Be a superstar
But I tell you just be satisfied
Stay right where you are

Keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
It'll take you all your time and a money
Honey you'll survive

Well I've loved a million women
In a belladonnic haze
And I ate a million dinners
Brought to me on silver trays
Give me everything I need
To feed my body and my soul
Well I'll grow a little bigger
Maybe that can be my goal

I was told a million times
Of all the people in my way
How I had to keep on trying
And get better every day
But if I crossed a million rivers
And I rode a million miles
Then I'd still be where I started
Same as when I started

Keep yourself alive
Come on
Keep yourself alive
It'll take you all your time and a money
Honey you'll survive

Shake

Keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
It'll take you all your time and a money
To keep me satisfied

Do you think you're better every day
No, I just think I'm two steps nearer to my grave

Keep yourself alive
Come on
Keep yourself alive
You take your time and take more money
Keep yourself alive

Keep yourself alive
Come on
Keep yourself alive
All you people keep yourself alive

Keep yourself alive
Come on
Come on
Keep yourself alive
It'll take you all your time and a money
To keep me satisfied

Keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
All you people keep yourself alive

Take you all your time and money
Honey you will survive

Keep you satisfied
Keep you satisfied